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Seven councilors elected on Town Meeting Day were sworn in Monday. Jane Knodell, P-Ward 2, and Tom Ayres, D-Ward 7, joined the council.

Sharon Bushor, I-Ward 1, Vince Brennan, P-Ward 3, David Harnett, D-Ward 4, Joan Shannon, D-Ward 5 and Norman Blais, D-Ward 6, were re-elected last month. Shannon had been the council president for the past year.

Independent Karen Paul threw her name into the race last month.

Before the vote, councilors formally nominated Shannon and Paul.

Harnett nominated Shannon, who he said was calm and courteous during a hearing about the city’s proposed charter change banning semi-automatic weapons.

“When she announced before we started a public forum to 150 NRA members that we don't applaud here that we use the silent wave, so if you agree with the speaker you do the silent wave, and I was sitting here saying, 'Councilor Shannon, you're good but you're not that good,'” Harnett said.

Bushor nominated Paul, adding she has a lengthy knowledge of finance and has served on numerous city committees.

“All of us that have been here for more than one year know how Karen has reached out to each one of us and mentored and collaborated with newly-elected councilors or veteran councilors,” Bushor said.

After a brief release, they passed a motion to adjourn and take the issue up again at a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. next Monday.

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